About the Survey
In spring 2025, Fullerton College (FC) participated in the Real College California Survey, a state-wide survey of student’s basic needs in the California Community College System. The survey was adapted from the largest national survey of basic needs among college students with modifications made to reflect the unique characteristics and needs of the California Community College population.
The online survey was administered to all currently enrolled FC students. To encourage students to complete the survey, $250 incentives were offered to participants via random lottery. Overall, 1,164 FC students completed the survey with a response rate of about 6%, which is typical of campuswide surveys.
Overall, the survey respondents were representative. White students were over-represented (see Race/Ethnicity), as were female students (see Gender) and full-time students (see Full-Time Status).
The survey considered three areas of basic needs:
Food Insecurity: defined as the limited or uncertain availability of nutritionally adequate and safe food, or the ability to acquire such food in a socially acceptable manner.
Housing Insecurity: defined as a broad set of challenges such as the inability to pay rent or utilities, or the need to move frequently.
Homelessness: defined as not having a stable place to live. Students were identified as homeless if they self-identified as homeless or if they identified living conditions that were considered signs of homelessness (e.g. couch surfing or living somewhere not meant for habitation).
Additionally, the survey investigated the extent to which students experienced at least one of these three basic needs insecurities.
Limitations and Considerations
As with any voluntary survey, the findings in this report should be interpreted with care. While the sample is generally representative of the Fullerton College student body, participation was self-selected, and certain groups may be underrepresented. Since the survey was distributed electronically, students needed access to the internet and a device to participate, which are factors related to basic needs access, so overall rates of need may be underestimated. In addition, participation was self-selected, meaning that those who chose to respond may differ from the broader student population.
The 2023 and 2025 surveys also included different samples of colleges and students, so results across years should be viewed as indicative of general trends rather than exact one-to-one comparisons. Together, these results provide valuable insights into student experiences, but they are best understood as indicators of broader patterns rather than exact population estimates.
Basic Needs Insecurities Overview
From 2023 to 2025, rates of basic needs insecurity at FC increased by approximately 3.8 percentage points (pts) on average across all measures (food, housing, and homelessness). In particular, the share of students reporting any form of insecurity rose from 59% to 62% (see Figure 1).
When compared with the 2025 statewide averages, FC’s overall rates in 2025 are roughly 4.2 percentage points lower, with 62% of students experiencing at least one insecurity versus 67% statewide.
These findings suggest that while basic needs challenges have grown locally since 2023, FC continues to track slightly below statewide levels.
Figure 1: Basic Needs Insecurity Comparison to 2023 and Statewide in 2025
Basic Needs Disparities by Demographics
Summary
Basic needs insecurities were disaggregated on various demographics.
Race/Ethnicity - points - aefa - some more
Gender
Sexual Orientation
Full-Time Status
Additional Demographics
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Race/Ethnicity Gender Sexual Orientation Full-Time Status Additional Demographics
Basic Needs Disparities by Academic Performance
As consistent with the statewide data, students who reported lower academic grades were more likely to also report experiencing insecurities related to basic needs. This suggests that basic needs challenges may be linked to lower academic performance.
This underscores the importance of comprehensive basic needs support to promote student success. Notably, students experiencing homelessness were also more likely to withdraw from their classes, highlighting the urgent need for targeted outreach and resources for this group.
Figure 2: Rates of Basic Needs Insecurities by Self-Reported Grades
Basic Needs Support at FC
Overview
The Hornets Resource Center (HRC) plays a vital role in supporting Fullerton College students by connecting them with food, housing, mental health, and other essential resources that promote well-being and academic success. This section summarizes students’ awareness and use of these supports. Most respondents reported having heard of the HRC, and many of those students have already accessed its services—most commonly for food assistance, followed by housing and mental health support. At the same time, some students expressed uncertainty about eligibility or how to access available resources, suggesting opportunities to continue strengthening outreach and communication. Overall, the findings affirm the HRC’s growing impact and underscore the importance of continued collaboration to ensure that all students feel informed, welcomed, and supported in meeting their basic needs.
Basic Needs Support Awareness
Students were asked the extent to which they were aware of a Basic Needs Center and/or ways to access basic needs support (i.e, food, housing, mental health, physical health, childcare, transportation) at FC. Notably, about 60% of the students had heard about the Hornets Resource Center (HRC), and of those students, about two-thirds of them had utilized the HRC.
Figure 3: Awareness of the Hornets Resource Center
Students who had heard about the HRC were also asked how they learned about it. The most common sources of awareness included the college website (51%), word of mouth (47%), and flyers or posters (46%).
Figure 4: Sources of Awareness for the HRC
Usage of the HRC
Students who reported using the HRC indicated that they received support across several areas of basic needs, with more than three-quarters receiving food assistance.
Figure 5: Reasons for Using the HRC
Not all students utilized the HRC for various reasons. Among those who did not, about half reported that they did not need assistance. However, nearly one-third indicated that they did not think they were eligible for services, and about one-fifth indicated that they felt embarrassed or uncomfortable, or that they were unsure how to access services. This suggests an opportunity to not only raise awareness of available resources but also to improve communication about eligibility and create a more welcoming, stigma-free environment that encourages students to seek support when needed.
Figure 6: Reasons for Not Using the HRC